A Stealth Troop Increase

U.S. officials are planning to add as many as 14,000 combat troops to the American force in Afghanistan by sending home support units and replacing them with “trigger-pullers,” defense officials say.

The move would beef up the combat force in the country without increasing the overall number of U.S. troops — a contentious issue as public support for the war slips. But many of the noncombat jobs are likely be filled by private contractors, who have proven a source of controversy in Iraq and a growing issue in Afghanistan.

….The changes will not offset the potential need for additional troops in the future, but could reduce the size of any request from Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. and allied commander, officials said….Such a request could be submitted in coming weeks.

McChrystal is definitely showing off that “political savvy” his bosses have been looking for. Still, an increase in combat troops is an increase in combat troops. It doesn’t really matter how you get there. Just keep this in mind and add it to the total when McChrystal finally unveils his official request a few weeks from now.